Insole with shock-absorbing function and manufacturing method thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the shock-absorbing insole is disposed on the bottom surface in a footwear for absorbing and reducing the shocks applied from the ground to a wearer&#39;s sole during running, jogging, walking, etc. The shock-absorbing insole includes: a bottom plate made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surface thereof; and a shock-absorbing member made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state in accordance with the load applied during walking, the shock-absorbing member being formed integrally with a bottom surface of a heel portion of the bottom plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwearand a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing thesame wherein the shock-absorbing insole is disposed on the bottomsurface in a footwear for absorbing and reducing the shocks applied fromthe ground to a wearer's sole during the walking.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a footwear like general shoes, athletic shoes, and so on hasan upper disposed to form the outer shape thereof, an outsole adapted tobe in contact with the ground, a mid-sole disposed on the top side ofthe outsole, and an insole adapted to be in contact with a wearer'ssole. Further, since the footwear should be worn all the time during thewearer's activity, it has a variety of functions of absorbing the shocksapplied thereto, improving the wearing feeling, and developing thesanitary conditions.

As shocks are applied from the ground to the outsole of the footwearduring a wearer's walking, especially, he or she feels fatigued, and insome cases, he may have muscular skeletal diseases. To solve theseproblems, therefore, there have been developed various kinds of footwearcapable of efficiently absorbing the shocks applied thereto, as will bedescribed below. There are proposed Korean Utility Model Laid-OpenPublication No. 87-12954 entitled “shock-absorbing device of afootwear”, Korean Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1991-0001788entitled “footwear outsole”, Korean Utility Model Registration No.20-0290570 entitled “footwear with shock-absorbing device”, KoreanUtility Model Corrected-Publication No. 20-0330641 entitled“shock-absorbing footwear”, Korean Utility Model Registration No.20-0343775 entitled “functional footwear with spring embedded therein”,Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0360286 entitled “aircirculating type of shock-absorbing footwear”, Korean Utility ModelRegistration No. 20-0374026 entitled “shoes”, Korean Utility ModelRegistration No. 20-0261981 entitled “pad structure for absorbing shocksin footwear”, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2006-0069980entitled “shock-absorbing device for footwear having shock-absorbingfunction”, and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0400116 entitled“mid-sole of footwear with a shock-absorbing device”.

According to the conventional practices, however, the shock-absorbingstructure is formed integrally with the footwear during themanufacturing, and it is a part of the mid-sole or the outsole fixed tothe footwear. Therefore, the entire footwear should be purchased if theshock-absorbing function is to be needed.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a shock-absorbing insole thatis easily mounted in a general footwear, even though the entire footwearhaving the shock-absorbing function is not purchased.

As the shock-absorbing insole prior art, there is disclosed in KoreanPatent Registration No. 10-0576381 entitled “footwear with ashock-absorbing insole” wherein the insole includes an insole pad fittedinsertedly to the inside of the footwear, the insole pad having aplurality of air-ventilating holes formed continuously to communicatewith one another and a shock absorber-receiving recess formed at thebottom surface for mounting a wearer's heel portion in such a manner asto communicate with the plurality of air-ventilating holes, and a shockabsorber having an elastic case mounted at the shock absorber-receivingrecess and having an air-supplying hole adapted to supply air to theplurality of air-ventilating holes, and having an elastic member housedin the case for absorbing the shocks applied from the wearer's heel.

According to the prior art, however, the insole is selectively disposedat the inside of the footwear, and as the elastic member is operated,the shock-absorbing function is exerted, thereby making a wearer'sfatigue released. Since the shock absorber having the shock-absorbingfunction is separately provided in such a manner as to be inserted atthe inside of the insole pad (the bottom plate), however, it can not beeasily disposed at the process of manufacturing the insole pad.Furthermore, the internal structure of the footwear may be damaged orthe wearer's sole may be injured when the case or the elastic member isbroken. Additionally, according to the conventional insole the shockabsorber is moved in the shock absorber-receiving recess of the insolepad, and as a result, the elastic member in the shock absorber works andgets friction with the elastic case, thereby causing noise therefrom,which makes the wearer feel uncomfortable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve theseproblems occurring in the conventional prior art, and it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a shock-absorbing insole for a footwearand a method of manufacturing the same wherein a shock-absorbing memberis formed integrally with the bottom surface of a bottom plate uponmanufacturing the insole, thereby providing more stable shock-absorbingcapability and the easiness of manufacturing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing thesame wherein a spring and a spring-supporting structure are all moldedintegrally to a bottom plate during the molding process of the bottomplate upon manufacturing the insole, thereby providing more stableshock-absorbing and spring-supporting capabilities.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing thesame wherein a shock-absorbing member is manufactured separately, but itis formed integrally with the bottom surface of a bottom plate by meansof heat fusion like high frequency fusion upon manufacturing the insole,thereby providing more stable shock-absorbing capability and theeasiness of manufacturing.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear that adopts a heel cup, as a frameof a shock-absorbing member, for supporting a wearer's heel portion,thereby having good shock-absorbing efficiencies.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear wherein a shock-absorbing memberis configured based upon the shape of a wearer's sole, thereby absorbingthe shocks applied through the footwear and gently transmitting theabsorbed shocks to the wearer's sole.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a shock-absorbing insole for a footwearincluding a bottom plate 110 made of a synthetic resin and having fabricattached on the top surface thereof, and a shock-absorbing member 10made of an elastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to thefootwear in such a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to itsoriginal state, the shock-absorbing member 10 formed integrally with abottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.

According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbingmember 10 has a plurality of first protrusions 12 formed integrally withthe bottom plate 110 upon the molding of the bottom plate 110 in such amanner as to be protruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114 of thebottom plate 110, each of the plurality of first protrusions 12 having aplurality of folds 13 formed along the outer periphery thereof in such amanner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downwarddirection thereof.

According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbingmember 10 has a second protrusion 14 formed integrally with the bottomplate 110 upon the molding of the bottom plate 110 in such a manner asto be protruded inclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate 110in front of the first protrusions 12, the second protrusion 14 having aplurality of folds 15 formed along the outer periphery thereof in such amanner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downwarddirection thereof.

The shock-absorbing insole of this invention further includes aplurality of springs 19 disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbingmember 10 in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in theupward and downward direction thereof, each of the springs 19 beingdisposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10 before themolding of the shock-absorbing member 10 in such a manner as to beformed integrally with the shock-absorbing member 10 upon the molding ofthe shock-absorbing member 10.

According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbingmember 10 further comprises: a frame 11 having a plurality of receivinggrooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surface thereof, and aplurality of protrusions 12 and 14 protruded downwardly from the bottomsurface thereof at the positions corresponding to each of the pluralityof receiving grooves 18, the frame 11 being attached integrally to thebottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110 by means of heat fusion; anda plurality of springs 19 insertedly coupled to the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18.

According to the present invention, preferably, the frame 11 has a mainrecess 16 formed to a lower depth than that of each of the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18, for forming the plurality of receiving grooves 18at the inside thereof, and the shock-absorbing member 10 further has asupporter 20 adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess 16and having a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the insidethereof for inserting the springs 19 thereto and a holding plate 30adapted to be coupled to the top surface of the frame 11 for compressingthe springs 19.

According to the present invention, preferably, the shock-absorbingmember 10 further has a base plate 40 attached integrally on the bottomsurface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 10 by means ofheat fusion, a plurality of protrusions 12 and 14 molded integrally tothe base plate 40 in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly fromthe base plate 40, and a plurality of springs 19 molded integrally tothe plurality of protrusions 12 and 14 in such a manner as to beinserted into the inside of the plurality of protrusions 12 and 14.

To achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a shock-absorbing insole for a footwearincluding a bottom plate 110 made of a synthetic resin and having fabricattached on the top surface thereof, and a shock-absorbing member 10formed integrally with a bottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of thebottom plate 110, the shock-absorbing member being made of an elasticsynthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such amanner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state, theshock-absorbing member 10 comprising: a heel cup 11′ made of a syntheticresin in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the bottomsurface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 by means ofheat fusion and having a main recess 16 formed downwardly from the topsurface thereof at the inside thereof, a plurality of receiving grooves18 formed downwardly from the main recess 16, and a plurality ofprotrusions 12′ protruded downwardly from the bottom surface at thepositions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18; aplurality of springs 19 disposed at the plurality of receiving grooves18 of the heel cup 11′ in such a manner as to make the heel cup 11′attached supportedly to the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110to apply an elastic force to the bottom plate 110; and a supporter 20adapted to be insertedly coupled with the main recess 16 and made of anelastic synthetic resin for supporting the surroundings of the springs19, the supporter 20 having a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed atthe inside thereof for inserting the springs 19 thereto.

To achieve the above objects, according to still another aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing ashock-absorbing insole having a bottom plate made of a synthetic resinand having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, the methodincluding the steps of molding a shock-absorbing member with a syntheticresin, the shock-absorbing member having a plurality of protrusionsformed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (at a step S520);and coupling the shock-absorbing member with a bottom plate by means ofheat fusion (at a step S530).

According to the present invention, the shock-absorbing member moldingstep further includes the step of insertedly coupling a plurality ofsprings correspondingly to the inside of the plurality of protrusions.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, there is provided a shock-absorbinginsole for a footwear and a method of manufacturing the same wherein theshock-absorbing member is molded integrally with the bottom plate orattached integrally to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, therebypreventing escaping and breaking while in use.

Unlike the conventional practices, further, the shock-absorbing memberis formed integrally with the bottom surface of the bottom plate,thereby having more improved durability when compared with theconventional practices and continuously carrying out more stableshock-absorbing performance. Moreover, the shock-absorbing member ismolded integrally to the bottom plate upon molding the bottom plate orattached to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, thereby makingmanufacturing easily carried out, and the shock-absorbing member has anassembling structure where springs are stably fixed at the insidethereof, thereby preventing the generation of noise therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 to 8 are views showing the assembling processes of the parts ofthe insole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the shock-absorbinginsole of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole of FIG.10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a variation of the shock-absorbinginsole of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are perspective views showing a shock-absorbing insolefor a footwear that is applied to a heel cup used for protecting a heelportion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the state where theshock-absorbing insole is coupled to the heel cup in a bottom direction;and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processes for manufacturing ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an explanation on preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be in detail given with reference to FIGS. 2 to 18 as theattaching drawings, wherein the parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1to 18 are indicated by corresponding reference numerals. On the otherhand, the illustration and detailed description on the technicalcontents with reference to the insole parts and an insole-manufacturingmethod in the drawings are easily understood by those skilled in theart, and an explanation on them will be brief or avoided. Therefore, anexplanation on the related parts of the invention will be chiefly given.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a shock-absorbing insole 100 according to thepresent invention includes a bottom plate 110 formed having a cushionforce, a fabric piece attached on the top surface of the bottom plate110, and a shock-absorbing member 10 formed protruded downwardly from abottom surface 114 of a heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110. Atthis time, the shock-absorbing member 10 has a plurality of firstprotrusions 12 formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114of the bottom plate 110, a second protrusion 14 formed protrudedinclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate 110 in front of thefirst protrusions 12, and a plurality of springs 19 insertedly formedintegrally with the inside of the shock-absorbing member 10. Each of theplurality of protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 have aplurality of folds 13 and 15 formed along the outer periphery thereof insuch a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward anddownward direction thereof.

The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention isformed integrally with the bottom plate 110, upon molding the bottomplate 110, at a state where the plurality of springs 19 are insertedthereto. Of course, even though the detailed description is not given inthe preferred embodiments of the present invention, a variety ofinjection processes and bubbling techniques may be adopted so as to formthe shock-absorbing insole 100 of the present invention. In a case wheredouble injection is adopted, for example, the bottom plate 110 and theshock-absorbing member 10 may have different materials or colors.

The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention has an integral structure where the plurality ofsprings 19 are inserted correspondingly into the plurality of firstprotrusions 12 (or into the second protrusion 14 like another preferredembodiment as will be described below), thereby greatly releasing theshocks applied from the ground during walking. The shock-absorbinginsole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention has a structure where the plurality of springs 19 are nestedinto the first protrusions 12, without any escaping from the firstprotrusions 12, thereby continuously carrying out more stableshock-absorbing function, while preventing escaping or breaking of thesprings that easily occurs in the conventional practices. Further, thefirst protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 are formed during themanufacturing process of the bottom plate 110, and the springs 19 areinserted into the first protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14during the molding process of the first protrusions 12 and the secondprotrusion 14, thereby having more stable supporting structure andeasier manufacturing when compared with the conventional practices.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.4 to 8 are views showing the assembling processes of the parts of theshock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showingthe shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according toanother embodiment of the present invention includes the bottom plate110 formed having a cushion force, the fabric piece attached on the topsurface of the bottom plate 110, and the shock-absorbing member 10formed attached on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of thebottom plate 110.

The shock-absorbing member 10 includes a frame 11, a plurality of caps17 adapted to insertedly mount a plurality of springs 19 thereto, and asupporter 20 and a holding plate 30 formed at the inside of the frame 11for enhancing the shock-absorbing effects.

At this time, the frame 11 of the shock-absorbing member 10 has aplurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surfacethereof, and a plurality of first protrusions 12 and the secondprotrusion 14 protruded downwardly from the bottom surface thereof atthe positions corresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18.Each of the plurality of protrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14have a plurality of folds 13 and 15 formed along the outer peripherythereof, thereby having a function of absorbing the shocks applied fromthe ground during walking. Further, the frame 11 has a main recess 16formed downwardly from the top surface thereof to form the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18 at the inside thereof to a lower depth than that ofeach of the plurality of receiving grooves 18.

On the other hand, each of the caps 17 is of a semispherical shape andforms a groove for inserting each of the springs 19 thereto in such amanner as to be inserted into each of the receiving grooves 18 at theinside of the shock-absorbing member 10. Thus, the caps 17 serve tosupport the springs 19 for preventing the frame 11 made of a relativelyweak synthetic resin from being broken.

Further, the supporter 20 is made of a polyurethane material thatenhances the shock-absorbing operation at the inside of theshock-absorbing member 10. The supporter 20 has a plurality of insertionholes 22 formed at the positions corresponding to the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18 of the frame 11 and is fitted to the main recess 16of the frame 11 to support the springs 19, thereby performing theshock-absorbing operation. Therefore, the supporter 20 has the sameshape as the main recess 16 of the frame 11 and has a lower height thanthe main recess 16.

On the other hand, the holding plate 30 is compressed and coupled to thetop surface of the frame 11, thereby preventing escaping of the caps 17,the supporter 20, and the springs 19, and it is also compressed andcoupled at the top surface thereof to the bottom surface 114 of the heelportion 112 of the bottom plate 110 of the shock-absorbing insole 100.

Under the above structure, the assembling process of the shock-absorbinginsole 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. At the stateas shown in FIG. 4, the caps 17 are inserted correspondingly into theplurality of receiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top surfaceof the frame 11, as shown in FIG. 5. As the caps 17 are inserted intothe plurality of receiving grooves 18, the damages on the frame 11caused by the springs 19 can be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 6,at the state where the caps 17 are inserted into the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18, the supporter 20 is inserted into the main recess16. As shown in FIG. 7, then, the springs 19 are inserted through theinsertion holes 22 formed on the supporter 20 in such a manner as to bemounted correspondingly in the grooves of the caps 17. At this state, asshown in FIG. 8, the holding plate 30 is coupled to the top surface ofthe supporter 20 by means of heat fusion. Finally, the shock-absorbingmember 10 obtained through the above assembling process is compressedand coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of thebottom plate 110, thereby finishing manufacturing the shock-absorbinginsole 100 having the coupled state as shown in FIG. 9.

The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is made by compressing and coupling theshock-absorbing member 10 to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion112 of the bottom plate 110.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to still another embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the shock-absorbinginsole of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing theshock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is a sectional viewshowing a variation of the shock-absorbing insole of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the shock-absorbing insole 100 accordingto the still another embodiment of the present invention includes thebottom plate 110 formed having a cushion force, the fabric pieceattached on the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and theshock-absorbing member 10 formed attached on the bottom surface 114 ofthe heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110.

The shock-absorbing member 10 of the shock-absorbing insole 100 has abase plate 40 coupled to the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112of the bottom plate 110, a plurality of first protrusions 12 formedprotruded downwardly from the bottom surface of the base plate 40, eachof the first protrusions 12 having a plurality of folds 13 formed alongthe outer periphery in the upward and downward direction thereof, asecond protrusion 14 formed protruded inclinedly toward the front sideof the bottom plate 110 in front of the first protrusions 12, the secondprotrusion 14 having a plurality of folds 15 formed along the outerperiphery in the upward and downward direction thereof, and a pluralityof springs 19 inserted integrally into the plurality of firstprotrusions 12 in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in theupward and downward direction thereof. At this time, the firstprotrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 in the preferred embodimentof the present invention are made of a polyurethane material having anelastic force capable of absorbing the shocks applied from the groundduring walking, and the base plate 40 is made of an EAV resin having anexcellent shock-absorbing capability by means of expansion molding.

Unlike the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, the shock-absorbing member 10 of the shock-absorbing insole100 according to the present invention is configured wherein the firstprotrusions 12 and the second protrusion 14 are formed integrally withthe bottom surface of the base plate 40, and the springs 19 are insertedinto the first protrusions 12. At this time, a method of inserting thesprings 19 is carried out by inserting only the springs 19 into thefirst protrusions 12, as shown in FIG. 12, or by fitting a plurality ofcaps 17 along the lower sides of the springs 19 as shown in FIG. 13, soas to stably support the springs 19 and effectively support the springs19 in the molds.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are perspective views showing a shock-absorbing insolefor a footwear that is applied to a heel cup used for protecting a heelportion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the state where theshock-absorbing insole is coupled to the heel cup in a bottom direction.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention has a similar structureto the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, and in thisembodiment, a heel cup 11′ as used generally is adopted in place of theframe 11. Generally, the heel cup 11′ is made of a high hardenedsynthetic resin like TPU, nylon, TPE, PVC, and so on, and it is attachedon the bottom surface 114 of the rear side of the bottom plate 110,thereby supporting the rear portion of the foot in a cup-like shape. Theshock-absorbing member 10 in the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention is characterized in that a plurality springs 19, a supporter20′, and an auxiliary supporter 50 are disposed on the heel cup 11′.

At this time, the heel cup 11′ has a main recess 16 formed downwardlyfrom the top surface thereof at the inside thereof and a plurality ofreceiving grooves 18 formed downwardly from the top of the main recess16. A plurality of protrusions 12′ (see FIG. 17) that are formedprotruded downwardly from the bottom surface 114 at the positionscorresponding to the plurality of receiving grooves 18 are attachedintegrally to the bottom surface 114, thereby supporting the rearportion of foot. Further, the springs 19 are mounted in the plurality ofreceiving grooves 18 of the heel cup 11′ and as the heel cup 11′ isattached to the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110, it issupported on the bottom surface 114 of the bottom plate 110 to apply theelastic force to the bottom plate 110. In addition, the supporter 20 hasa plurality of insertion holes 22 formed at the inside thereof forinserting the springs 19 thereto and is insertedly coupled with the mainrecess 16. And, the supporter 20 is made of an elastic synthetic resinfor supporting the surroundings of the springs 19. According to thefourth embodiment of the present invention, moreover, a protrusion 14′(see FIG. 17), which is formed protruded downwardly in a similar mannerto the second protrusion 14 (see FIG. 3) according to the first to thirdembodiments as mentioned above, is formed in front of the main recess 16in the heel cup 11′, and a receiving recess 52 is formed at the insideof the heel cup 11′ to the position corresponding to the protrusion 14′in such a manner as to be coupled to the auxiliary supporter 50. At thistime, the supporter 20 and the auxiliary supporter 50 are made of amaterial having a high cushion force like neoprene, silicon, and so on,thereby having a high shock-absorbing capability.

The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention has the heel cup 11′ formed to a rigid structure,thereby having the shock-absorbing function at the inside of the heelcup 11′, unlike the first to third embodiments as mentioned above. Theshock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is capable of improving the shock-absorbing functionas well as obtaining the supporting function of the heel cup 11′.

The shock-absorbing insole 100 according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention has a foot sole shock-absorbing member 60 formed atthe front side of the heel cup 11′, for absorbing the shocks applied tothe front sole of the foot. The foot sole shock-absorbing member 60 hasan auxiliary frame 62 having a plurality of receiving grooves 64 adaptedto support a plurality of springs 19′ and a supporter 20′ in a similarmanner to the heel cup 11′, and the supporter 20′ having a plurality ofinsertion holes 22′ for inserting the plurality of springs 19′ thereto,such that it has a similar structure to the shock-absorbing member 10,thereby absorbing the shocks applied to the front sole of the foot.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processes for manufacturing theshock-absorbing insole according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, there is provided a method of manufacturing ashock-absorbing insole according to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention includes the steps of: molding a bottom plate (at thestep S500); bonding fabric on the top surface of the bottom plate (atthe step S510); molding a shock-absorbing member (at the step S520);compressing and coupling the molded shock-absorbing member on a bottomsurface of a heel portion of the bottom plate (at the step S530); andcutting the shock-absorbing insole (at the step S40).

In this case, the method of manufacturing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear as mentioned above is related to the preferred embodimentsmentioned with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIGS. 14to 17. At this time, the preferred embodiments of the present inventioninclude the springs 19.

On the other hand, according to the shock-absorbing member 10 asmentioned with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, and FIGS. 14 to 17, the moldedshock-absorbing member 10 is compressed and coupled on the bottomsurface of the heel portion of the bottom plate (at the step S530),after the respective parts provided separately are assembled.

According to the shock-absorbing member 10 as mentioned with referenceto FIGS. 10 to 13, the springs 19 formed contracted and restored in theupward and downward direction are inserted vertically into the groovesof the semispherical caps 17, and then, the springs 19 are inserted intoa mold forming the base plate 40 at given intervals. Next, apolyurethane resin is poured to form the base plate 40, and at the sametime, the base plate 40 is formed integrally with the caps 17 into whichthe springs 19 are inserted, thereby molding the shock-absorbing member10 having the plurality of first protrusions 12.

The step of compressing and coupling the molded shock-absorbing member10 on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate110 is achieved by coupling the top surface of the base plate 40 on thebottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 bymeans of heat fusion, such that the shock-absorbing member 12 and thebottom plate 110 are formed integrally with each other, thereby formingthe shock-absorbing insole 100.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by theembodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodimentswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shock-absorbing insole for afootwear according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to thepresent invention includes the bottom plate 110 made of a syntheticresin, the fabric (which has no reference numeral designated) attachedon the top surface of the bottom plate 110, and the shock-absorbingmember 10 formed on the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 ofthe bottom plate 110. The shock-absorbing member 10 is made of anelastic synthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear insuch a manner as to be contracted and restored from/to its originalstate in accordance with the load applied during walking, and is formedintegrally with the bottom surface 114 of the heel portion 112 of thebottom plate 110. On the other hand, the bottom plate 110 is formed ofone of a variety of kinds. For example, the bottom plate 110 has aventilating hole having various shapes (hexagonal and square honeycombs) for absorbing and releasing the shocks applied thereto and forventilating air upwardly and downwardly, thereby effectively removingthe sweat generated from the sole of foot. The present invention mayadopt various kinds of functional bottom plates as well as a generalbottom plate.

On the other hand, the shock-absorbing insole 100 according to thepresent invention has the shock-absorbing member 10 integrally formedthe bottom plate 110 by adopting various technologies. For example, theshock-absorbing insole 100 according to the present invention can adopt,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the method where the shock-absorbing member10 is formed integrally with the bottom plate 110 upon the molding ofthe bottom plate 110, and otherwise, can adopt, as shown in FIGS. 3 to9, FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIGS. 14 to 17, the method where theshock-absorbing member 10 is separately made and then formed integrallywith the bottom plate 110 separately molded by means of heat fusion.Especially, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the shock-absorbing insole 100is configured where the heel cup 11′ is attached on the bottom surface114 of the bottom plate 110, and in this case, the springs 19, thesupporter 20′, and the auxiliary supporter 50 are disposed in the heelcup 11′. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the foot sole shock-absorbingmember 60 is additionally formed at the front side of the heel cup 11′,for absorbing the shocks applied to the front sole of the foot.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear and a method ofmanufacturing a shock-absorbing insole for a footwear, theshock-absorbing member with the shock-absorbing function is moldedintegrally with the bottom plate or attached integrally therewith bymeans of heat fusion, thereby preventing escaping and breaking while inuse.

Unlike the conventional practices, further, the shock-absorbing memberis formed integrally with the bottom surface of the bottom plate,thereby having more improved durability when compared with theconventional practices and continuously carrying out more stableshock-absorbing performance. Moreover, the shock-absorbing member ismolded integrally to the bottom plate upon molding the bottom plate orattached to the bottom plate by means of heat fusion, thereby makingmanufacturing easily carried out, and the shock-absorbing member has anassembling structure wherein springs are stably fixed at the insidethereof, thereby preventing the generation of noise therefrom.

1. A shock-absorbing insole for a footwear comprising: a bottom plate(110) made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the topsurface thereof; and a shock-absorbing member (10) made of an elasticsynthetic resin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such amanner as to be contracted and restored from/to its original state inaccordance with the load applied during walking, the shock-absorbingmember (10) being formed integrally with a bottom surface (114) of aheel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110).
 2. The shock-absorbinginsole according to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) hasa plurality of first protrusions (12) formed integrally with the bottomplate (110) upon the molding of the bottom plate (110) in such a manneras to be protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (114) of thebottom plate (110), each of the plurality of first protrusions (12)having a plurality of folds (13) formed along the outer peripherythereof in such a manner as to be contracted and restored in the upwardand downward direction thereof.
 3. The shock-absorbing insole accordingto claim 2, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) has a secondprotrusion (14) formed integrally with the bottom plate (110) upon themolding of the bottom plate (110) in such a manner as to be protrudedinclinedly toward the front side of the bottom plate (110) in front ofthe first protrusions (12), the second protrusion (14) having aplurality of folds (15) formed along the outer periphery thereof in sucha manner as to be contracted and restored in the upward and downwarddirection thereof.
 4. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 1,further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside ofthe shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be contracted andrestored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of thesprings (19) being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member(10) before the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such amanner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member (10)upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10).
 5. Theshock-absorbing insole according to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbingmember (10) further comprises: a frame (11) having a plurality ofreceiving grooves (18) formed downwardly from the top surface thereof,and a plurality of protrusions (12 and 14) protruded downwardly from thebottom surface thereof at the positions corresponding to each of theplurality of receiving grooves (18), the frame (11) being attachedintegrally to the bottom surface (114) of the bottom plate (110) bymeans of heat fusion; and a plurality of springs (19) insertedly coupledto the plurality of receiving grooves (18).
 6. The shock-absorbinginsole according to claim 5, wherein the frame (11) has a main recess(16) formed to a lower depth than that of each of the plurality ofreceiving grooves (18), for forming the plurality of receiving grooves(18) at the inside thereof, and the shock-absorbing member (10) furtherhas a supporter (20) adapted to be insertedly coupled with the mainrecess (16) and having a plurality of insertion holes (22) formed at theinside thereof for inserting the springs (19) thereto and a holdingplate (30) adapted to be coupled to the top surface of the frame (11)for compressing the springs (19).
 7. The shock-absorbing insoleaccording to claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing member (10) furtherhas a base plate (40) attached integrally on the bottom surface (114) ofthe heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (10) by means of heat fusion,a plurality of protrusions (12 and 14) molded integrally to the baseplate (40) in such a manner as to be protruded downwardly from the baseplate (40), and a plurality of springs (19) molded integrally to theplurality of protrusions (12 and 14) in such a manner as to be insertedat the inside of the plurality of protrusions (12 and 14).
 8. Ashock-absorbing insole for a footwear comprising: a bottom plate (110)made of a synthetic resin and having fabric attached on the top surfacethereof; and a shock-absorbing member (10) formed integrally with abottom surface (114) of a heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110),the shock-absorbing member (110) being made of an elastic syntheticresin for absorbing shocks applied to the footwear in such a manner asto be contracted and restored from/to its original state, theshock-absorbing member (10) comprising: a heel cup (11′) made of asynthetic resin in such a manner as to be formed integrally with thebottom surface (114) of the heel portion (112) of the bottom plate (110)by means of heat fusion and having a main recess (16) formed downwardlyfrom the top surface thereof at the inside thereof, a plurality ofreceiving grooves (18) formed downwardly from the main recess (16), anda plurality of protrusions (12′) protruded downwardly from the bottomsurface at the positions corresponding to the plurality of receivinggrooves (18); a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside of theplurality of receiving grooves (18) of the heel cup (11′) in such amanner as to make the heel cup (H′) attached supportedly to the bottomsurface (114) of the bottom plate (110) to apply an elastic force to thebottom plate (110); and a supporter (20) adapted to be insertedlycoupled with the main recess (16) and made of an elastic synthetic resinfor supporting the surroundings of the springs (19), the supporter (20)having a plurality of insertion holes (22) formed at the inside thereoffor inserting the springs (19) thereto.
 9. A method of manufacturing ashock-absorbing insole having a bottom plate made of a synthetic resinand having fabric attached on the top surface thereof, the methodcomprising the steps of: molding a shock-absorbing member with asynthetic resin, the shock-absorbing member having a plurality ofprotrusions formed protruded downwardly from the bottom surface (S520);and coupling the shock-absorbing member with a bottom plate by means ofheat fusion (S530).
 10. The method of manufacturing a shock-absorbinginsole according to claim 9, further comprising the step of insertedlycoupling a plurality of springs correspondingly to the inside of theplurality of protrusions.
 11. The shock-absorbing insole according toclaim 2, further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at theinside of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to becontracted and restored in the upward and downward direction thereof,each of the springs (19) being disposed at the inside of theshock-absorbing member (10) before the molding of the shock-absorbingmember (10) in such a manner as to be formed integrally with theshock-absorbing member (10) upon the molding of the shock-absorbingmember (10).
 12. The shock-absorbing insole according to claim 3,further comprising a plurality of springs (19) disposed at the inside ofthe shock-absorbing member (10) in such a manner as to be contracted andrestored in the upward and downward direction thereof, each of thesprings (19) being disposed at the inside of the shock-absorbing member(10) before the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10) in such amanner as to be formed integrally with the shock-absorbing member (10)upon the molding of the shock-absorbing member (10).